15 Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants

Sheri Dorn is a versatile homesteader and culinary artist with a strong focus on organic and heirloom gardening. Holding a Master's degree in Culinary Arts, she combines her love for cooking and gardening in a unique way. Sheri is an active contributor to online gardening communities and enjoys quality outdoor time with her family and pets.
Learn About Our Editorial Policy

2-Minute Read

Don’t be fooled by these deceiving weeds; here are Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants that are easily mistaken for tomatoes.

Tomato plants are a staple in many gardens, but did you know that there are weeds out there that can easily be mistaken for them? From horse nettle to black nightshade, check out these Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants.

Is Tomato a Nightshade Vegetable?


Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants

1. Black Nightshade

Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants

Botanical Name: Solanum nigrum

Safe or Poisonous: Toxic

The Black Nightshade is a poisonous plant often confused with edible nightshades due to their similar appearance.

Here are Black Nightshade Plants That Will Surprise You For Sure

2. Jamaican Nightshade

Weed That Resemble Tomato Plants

Botanical Name: Solanum jamaicense
Safe or Poisonous: Toxic
The Jamaican Nightshade has large, fragrant flowers. Keep in mind that this plant is poisonous.

Check out our Black Strawberry Tomato Information and Growing Guide 

3. Red Soda Apple

Unusual Plants That Remind Us of Tomatoes

Botanical Name: Solanum viarum

Safe or Poisonous: Toxic

A small, red fruit native to tropical regions and often used to make jams and preserves. The fruits of this weed resemble tomatoes.

Learn How to Grow Apple Tree in a Container and Care 

4. Gooseberries

Adopting a Tomato Plant-Like Look
thegardenhoeofficial
Botanical Name: Phyllanthus emblica
Safe or Poisonous: Edible
A Gooseberry is a small, green fruit with a tart flavor, often used in pies and jams. The fruits turn into a dark red-black color as they mature.

Learn How to Grow Indian Gooseberry 

5. Litchi Tomato

litchi  Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants
laura_t_77
Botanical Name: Solanum sisymbriifolium
Safe or Poisonous: Edible. It has a similar taste to tart cherries, with the subtleness of tomato.
The Litchi Tomato is a small, red fruit that resembles a tomato but with a sweeter taste and a tropical origin.

6. Tropical Soda Apple

Tropical  soda apple Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants
powo.science

Botanical Name: Solanum viarum Dunal

Safe or Poisonous: Toxic to humans

The Tropical Soda Apple is an invasive weed native to South America with edible fruit. The plant is considered a pest in some regions.

7. Pepino Dulce

pepino Dulce Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants

Botanical Name: Solanum muricatum
Safe or Poisonous: Edible, Sweet in flavor

A small, sweet fruit native to South America and often used in desserts. It tastes like honeydew or rockmelon and juicy like a melon.

Find out the Best Nightshade Vegetables and Fruits to Grow in Pots and Garden 

8. Physalis

Adopting a Tomato Plant-Like Look

Botanical Name: Physalis peruviana
Safe or Poisonous: Unripe berries are completely toxic. Wait for the berries to fall to the ground, ripen, and become edible.

Physalis is a small, orange berry enclosed in a papery husk, often used in jams and preserves.

9. Eggplant

Unusual Plants That Remind Us of Tomatoes 1
Hannes Grobe/BHV
Botanical Name: Solanum melongena
Safe or Poisonous: Edible

A versatile vegetable with a glossy, purple skin and a spongy texture, commonly used in Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, the Eggplant is one of the best ones on this list.

Find out if Eggplant is a Vegetable or Fruit or Berry 

10. Cranberry Plant

cranberry Weed That Resemble Tomato Plants
wikimedia

Botanical Name: Vaccinium macrocarpon

Safe or Poisonous: Edible with an acidic taste

The Cranberry is a perennial evergreen plant that produces tart berries, often used in sauces and jams.

11. Carolina Wolfberry

carolina Wolfberry Weed That Resemble Tomato Plants

Botanical Name: Lycium carolinianum

Safe or Poisonous: Edible, Sweet in taste

The Carolina Wolfberry is a small, edible berry that is native to the southeastern United States.

12. Horse Nettle

horse Nettle Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants

Botanical Name: Solanum carolinense
Safe or Poisonous: Toxic
Another member of the nightshade family, the Horse Nettle, is a poisonous weed that closely resembles tomatoes.

Here are the Best Types of Dead Nettle

13. Tamarillo

Weeds that Look like Tomato Plants 14

Botanical Name: Solanum betaceum
Safe or Poisonous: Edible

The Tamarillo is a tropical fruit with a tangy, sweet flavor that is often used in jams and chutneys.

14. Persimmon

Weed That Resemble Tomato Plants  1

Botanical Name: Diospyros kaki
Safe or Poisonous: Edible
The Persimmon is a tree-borne fruit with sweet, tender flesh and a distinct, slightly astringent flavor.

Learn How to Grow Persimmon 

15. Currant TomatoWeeds that Look like Tomato Plants 1

Botanical Name: Solanum pimpinellifolium

Safe or Poisonous: Edible

Currant Tomato is a plant that is a type of tomato that is native to South America. It is just smaller in size.

Recent Posts

Join our 3 Million Followers:

[easy-followers hide_title="yes" new_window="yes" nofollow="yes" show_total="no" total_type="text_before" columns="3" template="roundcolor" nospace="no" hide_value="no" hide_text="no"]

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here